Recommended Air Velocities in Ducts

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Recommended Air Velocities in Ducts

Ducts and recommended air velocities
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Air flow velocity in ducts should be kept within certain limits to avoid noise and unacceptable friction loss and
energy consumption.

Low and Medium Pressure Ducts

Maximum friction rate 0.1 - 0.2 inches W.G./100 ft
Velocity 1,500 - 2,000 ft/min (8 - 10 m/s)
Air Flow Rate
3

(m /h)
< 300
< 1,000
< 2,000
< 4,000
< 10,000
> 10,000

Maximum Velocity

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 175
< 590
< 1,200
< 2,350
< 5,900
> 5,900

2.5
3
4
5
6
7

490
590
785
980
1,180
1,380

High Pressure Ducts

Maximum friction rate less than 0.4 inches W.G./100 ft
Velocity 2,000 - 3,500 ft/min (10 - 18 m/s)
Shafts
Air Flow Rate
3

(m /h)
< 5,000
< 10,000
< 17,000
< 25,000
< 40,000
< 70,000
< 100,000

Maximum Velocity

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 2,950
< 5,900
< 10,000
< 14,700
< 23,500
< 41,000
< 59,000

12
15
17
20
22
25
30

2,350
2,950
3,350
3,940
4,300
4,900
5,800

It is common to keep main duct velocity above 20 m/s (3940 ft/min).

Corridors
Air Flow Rate
3

(m /h)
< 5,000

Maximum Velocity

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 2,950

10

2,000

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Recommended Air Velocities in Ducts

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Air Flow Rate

3

(m /h)
< 10,000
< 17,000
< 25,000
< 40,000

Maximum Velocity

(CFM)
< 5,900
< 10,000
< 14,700
< 23,500

(m/s)
12
15
17
20

(ft/min)
2,350
2,950
3,350
3,940

User Areas
Offices, receptions, lounges and similar
Air Flow Rate
3

(m /h)
< 5,000
< 10,000
< 17,000
< 25,000

Maximum Velocity

(CFM)

(m/s)

(ft/min)

< 2,950
< 5,900
< 10,000
< 14,700

10
12
14
16

2,000
2,350
2,750
3,150
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Related Topics
Ventilation - Systems for ventilation and air handling - air change rates, ducts and pressure drops, charts
and diagrams and more

Related Documents
Air Flow and Velocities due to Natural Draft - Air flow - volume and velocity - due to stack or flue effect
caused by indoor hot and outdoor cold temperature difference
Velocities in Ventilation Ducts - Recommended velocities in ventilation ducts
Duct Velocity - Calculate velocities in circular and rectangular ducts - imperial and SI-units - online
calculator
Air Duct Velocity Diagram - Air flow volume, duct size, velocity and dynamic pressure

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